Progressive Era

Progressive Era

A period of widespread social activism and political reform (1890s–1920s) aimed at addressing issues brought about by industrialization, urbanization, and political corruption.

WCTU (Women's Christian Temperance Union)

Founded in 1874, a leading organization advocating for temperance, women's rights, and social reform.

Carrie Nation

A radical temperance advocate known for using a hatchet to smash saloons and liquor bottles.

Muckrakers

Investigative journalists who exposed corruption, social injustices, and abuses of power in business and government.

McClure’s Magazine

A popular Progressive-era magazine that published investigative journalism exposing corruption and social issues.

Ida Tarbell

A leading muckraker known for her exposé The History of the Standard Oil Company (1904), detailing unethical practices of John D. Rockefeller’s monopoly.

Lincoln Steffens

A muckraker who wrote The Shame of the Cities (1904), exposing urban political corruption.

Upton Sinclair

Author of The Jungle (1906), which exposed unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry.

The Jungle

Upton Sinclair’s novel revealing the horrors of the meatpacking industry, leading to government intervention in food safety.

Supreme Court and Workers After 1900

Key rulings regarding labor rights and government regulation, including Lochner v. New York and Muller v. Oregon.

Political Reforms

Changes designed to increase democracy and reduce corruption, such as direct primaries and secret ballots.

Initiative

A process allowing citizens to propose and vote on laws directly.

Referendum

A process where voters can approve or reject laws passed by the legislature.

Recall

A political reform enabling voters to remove elected officials from office before their term expires.

Women’s Issues

A broad category addressing suffrage, labor rights, and social reforms affecting women.

Suffragette

A woman advocating for the right to vote, associated with the women’s suffrage movement.

Susan B. Anthony

A key leader in the women’s suffrage movement and co-founder of the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA).

Alice Paul

A suffragist and leader of the National Woman’s Party (NWP), known for radical tactics to push for the 19th Amendment.

Carrie Chapman Catt

President of NAWSA who developed the 'Winning Plan' for women's suffrage.

NAWSA (National American Woman Suffrage Association)

The primary organization advocating for women's voting rights, leading to the 19th Amendment’s passage.

William McKinley Assassination

Assassination of President McKinley in 1901 by anarchist Leon Czolgosz.

Theodore Roosevelt Administration (1901–1909)

Roosevelt's presidency, marked by Progressive reforms like trust-busting and labor rights.

Square Deal

Roosevelt’s domestic policy focused on controlling corporations and consumer protection.

Interstate Commerce Act (1887)

The first federal law regulating railroads to curb monopolistic practices.

Hepburn Act (1906)

Strengthened the Interstate Commerce Commission to regulate railroad rates.

Elkins Act (1903)

Prohibited railroad rebates to favored shippers.

Meat Inspection Act (1906)

Established federal inspection standards for meat processing in response to The Jungle.

Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)

Prohibited adulterated or mislabeled food and drugs.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Established to enforce the Pure Food and Drug Act.

Conservation

A major Progressive goal focusing on the protection of natural resources.

William Howard Taft (1908–1912)

Roosevelt’s successor who continued Progressive policies but faced some conflict with Roosevelt.

Bull Moose Party

A Progressive third party founded by Theodore Roosevelt in the 1912 election.

Election of 1912

A four-way race including Taft, Roosevelt, Wilson, and Debs, resulting in Wilson’s victory.

Black America

Refers to the struggles and activism of African Americans during the Progressive Era.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

A Supreme Court case upholding segregation under the 'separate but equal' doctrine.

Booker T. Washington

A Black leader advocating for economic self-sufficiency and vocational education.

Tuskegee Institute

Founded by Booker T. Washington to provide vocational education for African Americans.

W.E.B. DuBois

A Black intellectual and activist demanding immediate racial equality.

Niagara Movement

Founded by DuBois in 1905, it called for immediate civil rights.

NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)

Founded in 1909 to fight for civil rights and challenge segregation.

The Souls of Black Folk (1903)

A book by W.E.B. DuBois criticizing Washington’s gradualist approach.

Marcus Garvey

A Black nationalist who founded the UNIA promoting Pan-Africanism and economic independence.

Woodrow Wilson Administration (1913–1921)

Wilson implemented Progressive reforms but had a poor record on racial issues.

16th Amendment (Income Tax, 1913)

Allowed Congress to levy a federal income tax.

17th Amendment (1913)

Established the direct election of U.S. senators by voters.

18th Amendment (Prohibition, 1919)

Banned the manufacture, sale, and transport of alcohol.

19th Amendment (Women’s Suffrage, 1920)

Granted women the right to vote.

New Freedom

Wilson’s domestic policy aimed at breaking up monopolies and reducing tariffs.

Clayton Anti-Trust Act (1914)

Strengthened antitrust laws preventing unfair business practices.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC, 1914)

Created to regulate unfair business practices and protect consumers.

Federal Reserve System (1913)

Established to stabilize the banking system and control the money supply.

Federal Income Tax

Introduced by the 16th Amendment, allowing the federal government to tax personal income.